VISIT GORILLAS IN CONGO

Need to go gorilla trekking safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)? A visit to view gorillas in the DRC is such a mesmerizing primate adventure many haven’t experienced. Congo gorilla safaris are not very popular as it is a case with gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda making Congo the least explored gorilla safari destination in Africa.

Gorilla trekking is by far one of the best and the most famous safari activities DR Congo offers the world’s enthusiastic nature lovers. Unlike Uganda and Rwanda, Congo has 2 distinct spots for tourists on Congo safaris to strike their imaginations with 2 distinct gorilla sub-species. Gorilla treks in Congo are conducted in Virunga National park, a premier gorilla tour destination for mountain gorilla trekking and Kahuzi-Biega National Park which is ideal spot for Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking.

Gorilla tracking in Virunga National Park

Visitors on gorilla safari to Virunga National Park can travel to Eastern side of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where this 7800sq.kms protected area is situated. It is a popular safari park where a section of 1063 mountain gorillas live and presently, it boasts of 8 habituated gorilla family groups set for gorilla trekking adventures. The gorilla families to expect to track on Congo gorilla safaris in Virunga National Park include Nyakamwe group, Humba, Kabirizi, Lulengo gorilla group, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Munyaga and Bageni.

Gorilla treks in Virunga National Park begin with an early morning briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations at the park headquarters. The park official will also allocate to you one habituated gorilla group and park ranger guide to escort a group of 8 visitors on their search for these apes in the wild.

At 8:00am, trekkers and the park ranger guide shall begin the actual search for mountain gorillas and this may take about 2-6 hours less or more depending on how fast they will hike, location of gorilla group assigned and general nature of the habitat. On finding them, you have 1 hour to learn about their history, habits, lifestyles and take as many pictures as you can. This is a moment any trekker shouldn’t miss out because it is such a magical encounter of a lifetime.

Gorilla tracking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a premier Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking safari park and it is situated in Eastern side of Congo just close to Bukavu Town. This gorilla tour park also features among the few largest parks in Africa and presently, visitors on Congo gorilla safaris can trek any one of the 5 habituated gorilla family groups although this park is comprised of 9 groups, Moungwe, Mugahuka group, Chimanuka gorilla family, Nganwa gorilla family group and Bonnani group.

Like mountain gorilla trekking, Eastern lowland gorilla tracking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park is strictly conducted by 8 visitors per gorilla family group. Treks normally begin early in the morning with briefing on the gorilla trekking guidelines or safety measures also known as dos and don’ts. The whole adventure can last trekkers about 2 and 4 hours including 1 hour of magical encounter with the Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild.

Gorilla trekking permits in DRC

Gorilla permits are essential to have on Congo gorilla safari in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Each gorilla trekking permit in DR Congo is obtainable at US Dollars 450 per person for foreign nonresidents and US Dollars 150 for Congo citizens. This makes it relatively affordable gorilla safari destination compared to Rwanda and Uganda. It is possible to secure your gorilla permit in Congo through our reservation team or directly through the park authorities. We encourage our clients to reserve their permits at least 2-4 months before the actual date of tracking mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

When to visit gorillas in Congo

It is possible to visit gorillas in Congo Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park at any time of the year. However, the dry season is preferably the best to go gorilla trekking in DRC and this runs from June, July, August to September and December, January to February. These months are characterized by low rainfall and most trails plus routes are passable compared to if you visited during the wet or rainy season which runs from March, April, May and October, November.

What to carry on Congo gorilla safari

A well-planned gorilla trekking safari to Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park requires you to pack wisely. When packing, always start with essential items first which include among others waterproof hiking boots, valid gorilla permit, passport, energy giving snacks, gardening gloves, daypack, insect repellents, rain jacket, sweater, camera with no flashlight, walking stick that can be got at date of trek, trousers, long sleeved shirt and many more.

Where to stay on Congo safari

The best lodges to spend a night on Congo gorilla safari in Virunga National Park include Tchegera Island Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Kibumba Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Summit Shelters and Bukima Tented Camp. The ideal accommodation options in and around Kahuzi-Biega National Park include Panorama Hotel, Orchid Safari Lodge and others.

How to get to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks

By road; you can drive from Kisoro Uganda to Virunga National Park via Bunagana border which is about half hour’s drive to Bukima or drive from Kigali via Gisenyi Town (about 4 hours) to Goma town (about 32kms away) where you can connect to the park.

By air, there are flight services offered from Kigali Airport to Goma airport. The various airlines that offer flight services to Congo include among others Kenya Airways, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines.